Not the welcome they were hoping for: Sorry England arrive home after World Cup nightmare

NICE TO SEE ROO: Wayne Rooney exits the plane after returning from another disappointing World Cup [FLYNET]

Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney were pictured leaving the team's plane at Manchester Airport with not one in fan in sight.

Except for one little lad and his dad who was flying his England flag high.

But the players snuck out of the airport to escape the deserted terminal - leaving the poor tot and his dad even more disappointed.

The team would have been dreaming of a triumphant return with an army of cheering fans waiting for them.

But it was not to be for Roy Hodgson's team.

And the likes of Rooney and Gerrard looked utterly dejected as they made their way off the plane.

THE END? Steven Gerrard is expected to retire in the next few weeks [FLYNET]

ONE FAN: The little boy was disapointed to see the team leave out of the back entrance [CHRIS NEI]

GOODBYE: Ricke Lambert says his goodbyes after what is likely to be his only World Cup [FLYNET]

FUTURE: Youngsters like Ross Barkley are expected to star in the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign [FLYNET]

Englandwon just one point at the tournament making it their worst World Cup in history - and fans were not willing to welcome the lacklustre team with expectations high just two weeks ago.

Everton defender Leighton Baines was spotted carrying a guitar as he walked off towards the waiting vehicles.

While Joe Hart, Phil Jagielka and Manchester United defenders Chris Smalling and Phil Jones quickly grabbed their things and went home.

Once Gerrard, Rooney and all the other northern-based players had exited the plane took off again bound for Luton where the rest of the team will head off for their summer holidays.

England's early exit is estimated to have cost the UK economy over £200m in lost incomes.

Tuesday's bore draw against Costa Rica may well have been the last time fans will see Gerrard and Frank Lampard wearing the Three Lions' shirt, with both men tipped to retire.

GUITAR HERO: Leighton Baines fancies himself as a bit of a musician [FLYNET]

BRIGHT: Raheem Sterling was one of the few positives for England [FLYNET]

“I would be more than happy if Frank remains available for selection because you never know when you need players”

Roy Hodgson

Lampard is expected to leave Chelsea this summer and pursue a career in the MLS but manager Hodgson believes the midfielder, who won his 106th against Costa Rica, can still do a job for his country.

"A quality player like him is always good to have available if needed," he said.

"But I haven't had that conversation with him as such.

"I'm pretty sure that, if we said to him, 'look the chances are you might not feature quite so much, but please don't retire, please be available,' I'm sure he'd say we could count on him. He loves playing for England."

HOME: The jet lands at Manchester Airport [FLYNET]

Lampard said: "I've not made a decision on my future.

"He's 36 and we don't know as yet what his next destination is," Hodgson said.

"I would be more than happy if Frank remains available for selection because you never know when you need players.

Hodgson looks to have survived calls for him to be sacked following England's worst World Cup in over 50 years.

Hodgson will now begin preparations for the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign which will begin in the autumn.